Welcome to this detailed analysis of A.K. Ramanujan's profound poem, 'Time and Time Again,' a significant piece from the NCERT Class 12 Elective English textbook, Kaleidoscope. This guide provides a comprehensive summary, thematic breakdown, line-by-line explanation, and practice questions to help you master this thoughtful poem on time, society, and the human experience.
Table of Contents
Summary of Time and Time Again
A.K. Ramanujan's poem "Time and Time Again" examines time and society. It uses city clock towers as its central image. These clocks are never perfectly synchronized. Each one beats at a slightly different moment. Their sounds vary in depth and tone.
Many factors cause this lack of unison. The bronze alloy used is unique to each bell. A maker's hand might have shaken in a Swiss workshop. Their placements reflect a donor's personal wish. The distances between them also play a part. This physical reality becomes a metaphor for human communities. The poem directly mentions Hindu, Christian, and Muslim groups. They experience both feud and alliance.
This fragile order is easily shattered. A change in the wind can mute the sound. A siren cuts through it. A street quarrel does the same. The final stanza shows a broken clock. It is silent and eyeless. This destruction results from a riot. Or a time bomb. Or a lightning strike. Nature's act is called "precise." The poet seems to lament this cyclical damage. Things break, time and time again.
Important Themes of Time and Time Again
1. Diversity of Human Experience
In Time and Time Again, A. K. Ramanujan compares the sound of many clocktowers to the way human lives differ. Each clock strikes in its own tone and rhythm, showing that everyone’s sense of time and life is unique. The poet suggests that our experiences, like the clocks, depend on small things — place, mood, culture, and even chance. This diversity makes life interesting but also reminds us that no single pattern fits everyone. Time moves forward for all, yet its sound changes from one person to another.
2. Unity and Difference in Society
The poem also highlights how people live together yet remain distinct. Ramanujan mentions Hindus, Christians, and Muslims sharing the same city, their lives running side by side but not always in harmony. Just like the clocktowers beat at different moments, communities often follow their own traditions and beliefs. The poet shows that while unity is possible, difference always remains. The city becomes a living picture of both peace and conflict, where sounds mix and sometimes clash, just like human relations in daily life.
3. Change and Destruction
Towards the end, the poet describes a broken clocktower — silent, empty, and damaged. It symbolises how violence, natural disasters, or human anger can disturb the flow of time and peace. Events like riots or storms leave behind destruction, turning once-lively places quiet. Through this image, Ramanujan warns how quickly order can turn into chaos. Time, which once moved with steady rhythm, suddenly stops. The broken clock becomes a strong reminder that peace is fragile and can vanish in a single moment.
4. The Passing Nature of Time
Ramanujan’s poem gently reminds readers that time never stands still. Everything — buildings, clocks, people, and even emotions — fades or changes. The silent clocktower at the end symbolises how time continues even when human creations fail. The poet’s tone is calm but thoughtful, showing that life’s beauty lies in its movement. Nothing lasts forever, yet every moment matters. Through this theme, Time and Time Again teaches us to value each hour and recognise that even silence and loss are part of time’s long journey.
Line by Line Explanation of Time and Time Again
The poet asks the reader to listen carefully to the clocktowers of an old, organised city. These towers keep time and mark the passing of every hour.
Each clocktower strikes the hour, but not at the same moment. Some sound deeper, others lighter, because the metal of each bell is different. The poet uses this to show that even time feels different in different places.
Every clock follows its own rhythm because of small differences in how it was made — the mixture of metals, the skill or trembling hand of its maker. This shows how chance and human effort shape what we think of as perfect time.
The clocks also differ because they are placed far apart, built at different times, and funded by different people. Each clock reflects someone’s wish or decision.
Here, the poet moves from clocks to people. He compares the clocks’ uneven sounds to the relations among communities — sometimes peaceful, sometimes tense. The three religious groups live in the same city but have their own ways and beliefs.
Just as a sound may fade with the wind, human understanding can also change suddenly. Fights, noise, or confusion can break harmony, just as the siren or quarrel interrupts the steady rhythm of time.
The poet describes a sad sight — a clocktower with no face or hands, standing empty and broken. Through its hollow frame, the sky is visible. It is a strong image of loss and destruction.
The broken clocktower may have been damaged in many ways — by human violence like a riot or bombing, or by natural events such as lightning. Whatever the cause, time has stopped there. It no longer measures life as it once did.
Through these lines, A. K. Ramanujan shows how time, culture, and human life are linked. The poem Time and Time Again moves from sound to silence, from order to ruin — reminding readers that even the strongest signs of time can fall quiet one day.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Time and Time Again
1. Imagery
A. K. Ramanujan uses strong visual and sound images to make the reader feel the life of the city. Words like “clocktowers,” “beating their gongs,” and “zigzag sky” help us hear and see the scenes clearly. The poem moves from lively sounds to silence, creating a picture of both time and change.
2. Metaphor
The clocktowers are a clear metaphor for human life and society. Each clock stands for a different person, community, or belief system — all running in their own rhythm. The broken clocktower at the end symbolises how peace and order can collapse due to violence or natural forces.
3. Symbolism
The clocks symbolise time, order, and continuity. The eyeless clocktower symbolises loss, destruction, and the breakdown of harmony. The poem also symbolises how small differences — like the tone of a bell — reflect deeper differences among people and cultures.
4. Alliteration
The poet uses repetition of consonant sounds to give rhythm and flow to the lines. For example, “beating their gongs round the clock” uses the ‘b’ and ‘c’ sounds to create musical movement, echoing the striking of the clocks.
5. Personification
Ramanujan gives life to the clocks, making them seem almost human. They “beat,” “speak,” and “fall silent” like living beings. This personification helps readers feel that time itself is alive and affected by human actions.
6. Contrast
The poem moves between sound and silence, peace and violence, unity and division. This contrast keeps the poem alive and helps the reader see how quickly things can change. The lively city at the start becomes a quiet ruin by the end.
7. Enjambment
Many lines flow into the next without a pause. This technique, called enjambment, makes the poem sound natural, like spoken thought. It also reflects the continuous flow of time — always moving forward, never stopping.
8. Tone and Mood
The tone of the poem shifts from calm observation to sadness. At first, the poet enjoys the sound of the clocks. Later, he feels sorrow when one clocktower stands broken. The mood moves from peaceful to reflective, showing the fragile nature of time and human life.
Responding to the Poem (Q&A of Time and Time Again)
1. What did you think the poem was about when you read the first few lines?
(Very Short Answer – 30–40 words)
At first, the
poem seems to be about the clocktowers of a city striking time. The
sounds of the clocks appear simple and musical, as if the poet is only
describing the daily rhythm of city life.
2. From which line does the import of the title strike the reader?
(Very Short Answer – 30–40 words)
The meaning of
the title Time and Time Again becomes clear from the lines
where the poet speaks of clocks striking differently yet together. It
shows how time repeats itself but is never perfectly the same.
3. What makes for the differences between the timekeeping of the various clocks? What is the implicit comparison?
(Short Answer – 50–60 words)
The differences arise
from the materials used, the maker’s skill, and the distance between the
clocktowers. These small variations make each clock unique. The poet
subtly compares this to human life and society, where people, like
clocks, follow their own pace and rhythm, influenced by culture, belief,
and experience.
4. Why is the act of nature described as ‘precise’?
(Short Answer – 50–60 words)
The act of nature,
like a lightning strike, is called “precise” because it happens suddenly
and accurately, leaving no doubt or mistake. Unlike human violence,
which is emotional and chaotic, nature’s action is exact and beyond
control. The poet uses this word to show how nature’s power can end
human order in a moment.
5. Which of the following reflects the poet’s attitude towards communal disharmony?
(Very Short Answer – 30–40 words)
(iii)
Wistful lament
The poet feels sorrowful and
reflective about the lack of unity among communities. His tone is sad
rather than angry. He mourns how peace is broken by quarrels, like the
clocks falling out of rhythm.
6. Is the poet’s attitude a representation of how the average Indian feels both towards human violence and nature’s fury?
(Long Answer – 160–180 words)
Yes, the poet’s
attitude mirrors how most Indians feel when faced with violence or
natural disasters. A. K. Ramanujan writes with quiet sadness, not anger.
He shows how ordinary people witness riots, storms, and other
destructive acts with helpless sorrow. The broken clocktower stands as a
symbol of ruined peace, something people learn to accept because it
happens “time and time again.” The poet does not shout or accuse;
instead, he mourns gently, knowing that such events are part of life in
a diverse country.
His tone also reflects the Indian way of seeing time — continuous, circular, and forgiving. Just as time moves on after destruction, people also rebuild and move forward. The poet’s calm observation of both human and natural damage reveals a deep patience and endurance. Through this, Ramanujan captures the silent pain and quiet hope of the common Indian who learns to live with difference, loss, and renewal.
MCQs on Time and Time Again
1. What central idea does the poem Time and Time Again convey?
A. The perfection of modern machines
B. The harmony and conflict in
human society
C. The beauty of ancient buildings
D. The
passing of seasons
Answer: B
Explanation:
The poem uses the image of clocktowers to show unity and difference
among people, symbolising harmony and conflict in society.
2. Which of the following best describes the tone of the poem?
A. Angry and bitter
B. Cheerful and humorous
C. Calm yet
sorrowful
D. Cold and factual
Answer:
C
Explanation: The poet maintains a calm and
reflective tone but ends with sadness over destruction and disharmony.
3. The sound of the clocktowers striking differently symbolises —
A. Faulty engineering
B. Human error
C. Diversity in human
life
D. Passage of time
Answer:
C
Explanation: The different sounds of the clocks
stand for the variety in human lives and experiences within the same
world.
4. What poetic device is used in the phrase “beating their gongs round the clock”?
A. Simile
B. Alliteration
C. Metaphor
D. Hyperbole
Answer:
B
Explanation: The repetition of the ‘b’ sound in
“beating” and “gongs” creates rhythm through alliteration.
5. The broken clocktower in the poem stands for —
A. Progress of science
B. Loss of time
C. Destruction caused
by violence or nature
D. End of tradition
Answer:
C
Explanation: The silent and eyeless clocktower
symbolises destruction caused by riots, bombs, or storms.
6. Why does the poet mention Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities together?
A. To show religious festivals
B. To suggest their shared time and
space
C. To discuss their architecture
D. To highlight ancient
history
Answer: B
Explanation:
The poet uses these communities to show how different groups live
together yet remain distinct, like clocks striking at different times.
7. What does the poet mean by “a maker’s shaking hand in Switzerland”?
A. The poor skill of Indian craftsmen
B. The global origin of
clockmaking
C. Human error that creates difference
D. The
influence of European trade
Answer: C
Explanation:
The poet suggests that small human imperfections cause each clock to
sound slightly different, reflecting human variety.
8. Which poetic device is seen when one line flows into the next without a pause?
A. Repetition
B. Enjambment
C. Irony
D. Contrast
Answer:
B
Explanation: Ramanujan uses enjambment to create
a continuous flow, mirroring the movement of time.
9. The phrase “a zigzag sky showing through the knocked-out clockwork” creates —
A. A picture of repair and renewal
B. A scene of natural beauty
C.
A sense of loss and destruction
D. A moment of celebration
Answer:
C
Explanation: The line paints an image of a
broken clocktower, suggesting destruction and emptiness.
10. Why is the act of nature called “precise” in the poem?
A. It is gentle and predictable
B. It strikes accurately and
without error
C. It can be stopped by human effort
D. It
follows human logic
Answer: B
Explanation:
Nature’s actions, like lightning, are exact and beyond control — they
strike with perfect accuracy.
11. What does the word “eyeless” in the poem symbolise?
A. The clock has lost its face and hands
B. The poet cannot see
clearly
C. The tower has no windows
D. The people have lost
faith
Answer: A
Explanation:
“Eyeless” suggests that the clocktower’s face is broken, and it can no
longer show time or see the world.
12. Which of the following best describes the structure of the poem?
A. It follows a strict rhyme scheme
B. It is written in free
verse
C. It uses a sonnet form
D. It is divided into stanzas
of equal length
Answer: B
Explanation:
The poem is written in free verse without rhyme or regular metre,
allowing a natural and flowing rhythm.
13. What human quality does the poet link to the different striking of the clocks?
A. Laziness
B. Jealousy
C. Individuality
D. Dishonesty
Answer:
C
Explanation: The varied sounds of the clocks
reflect individuality — each clock, like each person, has its own rhythm
and way of marking time.
14. The line “cut off sometimes by a change of wind, a change of mind, or a siren” suggests —
A. Sudden breaks in peace or understanding
B. Effects of weather on
machinery
C. Joyful moments in the city
D. Regular working of
time
Answer: A
Explanation:
The line shows how easily peace or harmony can be disturbed, much like
sound changes with the wind.
15. What mood does the poem end with?
A. Hopeful joy
B. Quiet sadness
C. Excitement
D. Anger
and protest
Answer: B
Explanation:
The final image of the broken clocktower leaves readers with a feeling
of calm sorrow and reflection on loss and time.
Critical Appreciation of Time and Time Again
A. K. Ramanujan’s poem Time and Time Again is a thoughtful piece that connects time, human life, and social reality through the simple image of city clocktowers. What begins as a description of bells striking the hour turns into a deep reflection on difference, unity, and the fragile nature of peace.
The poem shows how even clocks — made to measure time with precision — can differ slightly. This small variation becomes a symbol of human diversity. People, like the clocks, live close to each other but follow different rhythms shaped by belief, custom, and experience. Ramanujan’s reference to Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities highlights India’s mixed culture, where harmony and conflict exist side by side.
The tone remains calm but ends in sadness when one clocktower is seen broken and silent. This image of destruction symbolises loss caused by riots, bombings, or natural disasters. Through it, the poet reminds us that time and life can be interrupted suddenly.
Written in free verse, the poem uses imagery, symbolism, alliteration, and enjambment to create a natural flow. The sound of the clocks moves like time itself — continuous yet uneven. The language is simple, but the meaning is rich. Ramanujan’s quiet observation and sensitive eye make Time and Time Again a beautiful reflection on how human life moves through time, sometimes in harmony and sometimes in pain.
Important Questions with Answers from Time and Time Again
1. What does the poet compare the sound of clocktowers to?
Answer (Very Short – 30–40 words):
The poet
compares the sound of clocktowers to the different rhythms of human
life. Just as each clock strikes differently, people too live by their
own pace, shaped by beliefs, habits, and experiences.
2. What message does A. K. Ramanujan convey through the poem?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
Ramanujan conveys
that time and life are not the same for everyone. Small differences — in
culture, thought, or nature — make each life unique. The poem also
reminds us that harmony can easily be disturbed, but time continues to
move on, repeating its pattern time and time again.
3. What does the “eyeless, silent” clocktower symbolise?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
The broken and
silent clocktower stands for loss and destruction. It symbolises how
peace, order, and human achievements can be ruined suddenly — by
violence, riots, or nature’s fury. It is a strong image of how time,
once broken, cannot be heard again in the same way.
4. How does the poet show unity and difference in society?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
The poet shows unity
through the shared sound of the clocktowers in one city. Yet, each
strikes differently, reflecting differences in faiths and ways of life —
Hindu, Christian, and Muslim. The poem suggests that people live
together but often move out of rhythm, like clocks slightly out of sync.
5. What does the phrase “a maker’s shaking hand in Switzerland” suggest?
Answer (Very Short – 30–40 words):
It suggests
human imperfection. Even the best craftsman can make small errors, and
those tiny differences cause each clock to strike slightly off time. It
symbolises human variety and the beauty of imperfection.
6. How does the poem connect human life with the passage of time?
Answer (Long – 160–180 words):
The poem connects
human life and time through the image of clocktowers that strike in
different rhythms. Time is the same for all, yet everyone experiences it
differently. The poet uses this idea to show how people and communities,
though living together, have their own pace and beliefs. The sound of
the clocks becomes a symbol of harmony and diversity.
Later, when one clocktower falls silent, Ramanujan shows how time can be interrupted by violence or nature. This silence stands for the destruction that stops life’s rhythm, even though time itself continues. The poet’s tone is calm but filled with sadness, reflecting both acceptance and loss.
Through these images, Ramanujan captures the idea that time moves forward endlessly, while human life is full of change and difference. The poem becomes a quiet reminder that order, peace, and life’s rhythm must be valued before they fall silent forever.
7. What role does nature play in the poem?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
Nature acts as both
a silent observer and a sudden destroyer. The poet mentions “a precise
act of nature” to show how lightning or storms can end peace and order
in a moment. It reminds readers that nature’s power is exact and beyond
human control.
8. What feeling does the poem leave with the reader?
Answer (Very Short – 30–40 words):
The poem leaves
a feeling of quiet sadness and reflection. It makes readers think about
time, loss, and human differences. The calm tone turns sorrowful at the
end, showing that peace is fragile.
9. How is the poem Time and Time Again an example of free verse?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
The poem has no
fixed rhyme or rhythm. Instead, it flows naturally like thought or
speech. This free verse form suits Ramanujan’s reflective style, letting
him move smoothly between ideas about sound, time, and society without
being limited by structure.
10. What makes A. K. Ramanujan’s poetry different from others of his time?
Answer (Short – 50–60 words):
Ramanujan combines
observation, culture, and emotion in simple language. He uses small
everyday images — like clocks — to express large ideas about time, life,
and human nature. His calm voice, Indian setting, and universal message
make his poetry both modern and deeply thoughtful.
